Vital supply: Egypt, Japan partner on blood bag plant in SCZone

Egypt has signed a major agreement with Japan to establish a blood bag manufacturing facility in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), signaling a strategic leap toward medical self-sufficiency and regional export leadership.

The EGP 1.4 billion ($29 million) project will be developed through a three-way partnership between the Egyptian Company for Medical Investments (ECMI), Interpharm for Import, Export, and Medical Industries, and Japanese medical device manufacturer JMS. The signing ceremony on Wednesday was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and other senior officials.

Factory to meet full domestic demand and boost exports

The plant, which will be located in Ain Sokhna’s SCZone, is designed to produce seven million blood pouches annually by its seventh year of operation. Of that output, three million units will serve domestic needs, while four million are intended for export, primarily to Middle Eastern and North African markets.

According to Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority (UPA), the facility will fully cover the country’s annual demand for blood bags—essential tools used in surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatments, and chronic illness management. The plant is also expected to become a key contributor to Egypt’s medical exports and a new source of foreign currency revenue.

Strategic move to localize high-value medical manufacturing

“This project is a cornerstone in our strategy to localize advanced medical manufacturing and attract international investment,” Madbouly said. He stressed the full support of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for efforts to modernize Egypt’s healthcare sector through technology transfer and public-private collaboration.

By establishing the facility in Ain Sokhna, the government aims to leverage the SCZone’s logistical advantages and investment incentives to create a competitive industrial base capable of serving both local and international markets.

Building a regional hub for medical innovation

Egypt’s push to produce high-demand medical products domestically is part of a broader vision to reduce dependency on imports, especially for critical healthcare supplies. The partnership with JMS also highlights Japan’s role in supporting Egypt’s industrial development, particularly in sectors that rely on precision technology and stringent regulatory standards.

“This factory represents more than just a production facility; it’s a gateway for Egypt to become a regional hub in the medical devices industry,” said Ahmed Sami, chairman of Interpharm.

The agreement was officially signed by Osama Abdel Baset (ECMI), Ahmed Sami (Interpharm), and Masafumi Sato (JMS Japan). The project marks another milestone in Egypt’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment while prioritizing national health security.

As global demand for medical consumables continues to rise, Egypt is positioning itself not only as a consumer market but also as a serious manufacturing and export player in the region.